Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Springtime in Paris

Bon jour, Mon Amis!
Ahhhhh, spring time in Paris!  What could be better than that?
Since I'm having a bit of "blogger's block", and having trouble coming up with topics to post about (not wanting to bore you with more of my latest painting projects!), I thought for a change I'd share with you photos from a few of our past trips to the City of Lights.
 So, if you've been visiting here for awhile, some of these shots may look familiar!
 Hubby and I were walking along a side street in Paris one morning, when we came upon this adorable little cafe.  It was too early for lunch, but I just had to snap a photo of the menu du jour written on the chalkboard.  How charming, and oh, so French!
 Don't you just love these gorgeous blue shutters?  I snapped this shot in Monmarte, which is the area of Paris that all of the French Impressionists liked to hang out at, back in the late 1800's.
 A pretty flower shop, across the street from our hotel.
 This is the view from our hotel balcony. We stay at the same little hotel each time we visit Paris.  If we are lucky, we get a corner room, where we can see the towers of Notre Dame.
 Not a very good picture of me!  But, I wanted to show you the amazing Chateau de Chantilly.  We took the train from Paris for a day trip to visit here.
 I was in love with the beautiful painted ceilings!  I remember we ate lunch at a little outdoor cafe on the grounds, where we had the most amazing dessert (wish I had gotten a shot of it!) of fresh fruits and Chantilly Cream.  How could whipped cream taste so good?

 A view of the towers of Notre Dame at sunset. This is our favorite part of the city!
 Oooh, la, la!  Check out the red, white and blue chocolate Eiffel Towers in the window of this patisserie!  Yum!
 Another favorite site that I never would tire of seeing!  I snapped this shot from the top of the Arc de Triumph.
 Ok, for the life of me I can't remember the name of this chateau.  We took the train to visit here for the afternoon.  It was just as amazing as Versaille, which we've been fortunate to visit twice so far.
 Sorry for the blurry shot!  Can you imagine waking up in this every morning?
 The chateau had the most amazing chandeliers!  Love this one!
And last of all, one of our favorite markets, just a few blocks from our hotel.  Aren't these flowers amazing?
Hubby and I are planning a trip to Paris this September, we can hardly wait!  We've never visited the city in the fall, and are really looking forward to it. Thanks for joining me today, hope you all have a great weekend!
Au Revoir!

15 comments:

NanaDiana said...

I wondered where you had been and what you had been up to, Donna. Reliving Paris here for us is always a good thing. Beautiful pictures. How wonderful that you get a chance to go back in September! How wonderful is that!!!!!

I hope you have a great weekend, too. I hope Spring is soon there for you to enjoy. Just think it is full of snow "back home" in MI! xoDiana

Karen said...

Hi Donna..... I always love seeing your photos of Paris!

So you're having a blogger block? I am too in a way.....I have done absolutely no sewing or quilting; therefore, nothing much to post on my quilting blog! However do I get out of this slump?

Have a great weekend!

Love, Karen

Trisha said...

How I wish I could come along with you in September! Someday I will go to Paris and I can hardly wait!

~Trisha

Anonymous said...

Oh gorgeous! thanks for sharing these photos from your trip...I have never been there before....but it is all so romantic and beautiful...the cafes..the blues....everything......

your post actually made me take pause and feel like I took a 3 minute vacation to Paris!

ciao bella
I need to buy some fresh flowers for the weekend!



Creative Carmelina

Debbie said...

Oh, these photos bring back such sweet memories of France. Thank you for posting your pictures, Donna.
I actually like the back side of Notre Dame the best with all the arches. We have pics of Patrick and I standing with the gargoils(sp) in the towers. I never understood having demons on a church...but whatever.LOL
You are so blessed to be going over again.
Love the open flower markets.
Have a great weekend.
xxoo

Bente said...

Beautiful photos from Paris. I had a trip there some years ago. It`s a fantastic city.

Hugs Bente

Blondie's Journal said...

Your pictures are just beautiful...each one tells a story! I'd love to go to Paris just to see the flower markets!!

I get blogger's block all the time...sometimes you just need to look through your picture files to get inspired. I'm sure the springlike weather helped you write this post! :)

XO,
Jane

Tete said...

Thank you for the mini vacation! I think your photos are so pretty. Especially the chocolate and the flowers. I am so ready for spring here. And its coming. 70s next week!

Cindy Adkins said...

Oh WOW, these are fabulous pictures--and I'm so excited about your trip!!! This is wonderful!!!
XO
Cindy

The Bear's Blog said...

Bon jour, Miss Donna (giggle)

"Bee-u-tee-ful" pictures. But, being the pain that I am, I am not seeing a teddy bear in any pictures.

Could it be that you left your teddy bear at the hotel? That must be it... (o:

Happy Weekend.

Hugs,
Prudence

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

How wonderful you are going back. Paris is the special place for my husband and I..we finally felt we were away from everything and could just enjoy being together. We too stay at the same hotel, they got so they recognized us! we stay in a neighborhood off of Vaneau and Severs. A local grocery, wine and cheese shop and flower market are a must..and Bon Marche is down the street.
Can not wait to hear your adventures this fall. Have been to London in the fall but not Paris!

The Bear's Blog said...

Miss Donna, I don't see a backpack? Hugs to Emily.

Love,
Prudence

Musings from Kim K. said...

You certainly have had some lovely adventures. Gorgeous pictures. Emma still loves her French class and she enjoyed seeing these pictures too.

Unknown said...

love your blog. the springtime in Paris is amazing. Posted a link to your blog on my Pinterest. Cheers--Julie

ShabbyESP said...

Donna,
Your pictures of Paris are beautiful!!! I wanna go to Paris, maybe I can hide away in your luggage??????
Thank you for sharing your sweet pictures
Suzann ~xoxo~